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Thoughts on solo Scotland itinerary?

Posted by (Minneapolis/St. Paul) on

I'd love some feedback on a potential Scotland itinerary for next year. Still debating on a May or September trip-largely depends on if I can find a great flight deal for one or the other. I'm a 30-something female solo traveler and don't plan to rent a car this time, so thought a tour would be a great way to get to the more remote places I want to see, and also have some social interaction along the way. For this trip I'm more interested in getting out in nature and doing some hiking vs. spending a lot of time in the major cities, hence why I put the Cairngorms on the list. (My idea for that portion would be to do a few day hikes as opposed to camping anywhere). I'm also drawn to the spirituality of Iona so that's a must-do!

Also, based on what I've seen so far, it's going to be significantly cheaper (like, half the cost) to fly in and out of Glasgow rather than Edinburgh. I'll continue to keep an eye on things, but that's the trend I'm seeing (blessing and a curse of living in a Delta hub city, I guess). This is also all dependent on being able to line up a decent flight with the days of departure for a Rabbie's Tour!

Day 0: Overnight Flight to Glasgow
Day 1: Arrive in Glasgow, train to Aviemore (overnight in Aviemore)
Day 2: Aviemore/Hiking Cairngorms (Overnight in Aviemore)
Day 3: Aviemore/Hiking Cairngorms (Overnight in Aviemore)
Day 4: Train to Stirling, Stirling Castle, onto Edinburgh (Overnight in Edinburgh)
Day 5: Edinburgh (Overnight in Edinburgh)
Day 6: Rabbie’s Mull, Iona and Isle of Sky Tour
Day 7: Rabbie’s Mull, Iona and Isle of Sky Tour
Day 9: Rabbie’s Mull, Iona and Isle of Sky Tour
Day 10: Rabbie’s Mull, Iona and Isle of Sky Tour (Overnight in Edinburgh)
Day 11: Edinburgh (Overnight in Edinburgh)
Day 12: Train go Glasgow, fly Home out of Glasgow

Posted by
6323 posts

Linnae, I think your itinerary looks good. If I were to suggest anything, it would be to go directly from Aviemore to Edinburgh and spend your time there exploring the city.

Then take your 4 night tour, and on Day 11, make a day trip to Stirling from Edinburgh. It's only a quick 40-45 minute trip by train and definitely would be easier since you wouldn't have to deal with luggage while at Stirling.

ETA: camborne1962, I would do it. Trains are great for just relaxing and it's certainly better than driving to Aviemore. I can understand wanting to get to your destination right away.

Posted by
113 posts

Thanks to you both! One thing I've learned from prior trips is that I enjoy starting with rural and ending with urban to sort of "ease back" into the real world at the end of a holiday. Also, in my first draft itinerary I had Edinburgh first, up to Aviemore, then back to catch the Rabbie's tour, and was having a hard time fitting everything in within the timeframe (trying to keep it to 12 days). I thought maybe moving the order around might help. Then I realized after posting this that on my original itinerary I had skipped a day of numbering, so I actually am at exactly the days I want to be at, whether I start in Edinburgh or Aviemore :-)

Posted by
5758 posts

I would also do the train journey on the day of arrival- it is train and not tram!!

Especially when there are trains until early evening.

There are also Citylink bus journeys to Aviemore from Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station every 2 hours until 1910- just 4 stops- which are as fast as the train and more frequent, as on alternate train journeys you have to change at Perth into a train from Edinburgh (with worries about getting a seat on the 2nd train).

On the other hours the coach also has a journey opportunity of change at Perth Park and Ride- normally the two buses park straight behind each other. Some of those are only 3 stops between Glasgow and Aviemore.

Quite often the Citylink journeys are on double deckers and they always have washrooms.

You know you will have a seat on the bus and can just sit back and relax (or snooze, but the scenery should keep you awake).

Posted by
1835 posts

Looks good to me and makes sense too. You will love Mull, Iona and Skye!

Posted by
5758 posts

By the way I should have said book Citylink on the Megabus website. They are code share journeys and Megabus fares are substantially cheaper.
Any journey can use buses in either company's livery.

Posted by
6323 posts

I agree with wasleys about loving Mull, Iona and Skye. They were all wonderful and beautiful - you will have an incredible time in Scotland, I'm sure!

By the way, when you go to Stirling Castle, make sure you take one of the free guided tours offered by Historic Scotland - they will really enhance your visit there. They start at 10 am and every hour thereafter. Our guide was wonderful and gave us so much additional info and history that we did not know. And the town of Stirling is well worth seeing also. There are many historic sights throughout, like the Church of the Holy Rude and so on. You can find lots of good info about the town in this post from earlier this year. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/scotland/visiting-stirling-castle-and-the-town

Also, I recommend having lunch or just a cream tea at the Darnley Coffee House, which is located in the house that Lord Darnley, who was married to Mary Queen of Scots, lived in. Very interesting building and great food. I met several locals there who said they come there all the time.

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